UNREAL Synonyms: 122 Similar and Opposite Words

unreal

adjective

ˌən-ˈrē(-ə)l

Definition of unreal

as in absurd

conceived or made without regard for reason or reality an unreal claim that is distant from the slightest hint of truth

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in imaginary

not real and existing only in the imagination the unreal world of TV sitcoms

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of unreal In an absolutely unreal rally following an early deficit, Ecuador has defied the odds to beat group leader Germany here in New Jersey. — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 26 June 2026 The subwoofer itself sports an eight-inch dual active driver that pumps out bone-shattering bass, and when paired with Dolby Atmos 3D support, the spatial audio sounds utterly unreal. — George Yang, PC Magazine, 26 June 2026 But some of these food prices are unreal. — Kansas City Star, 26 June 2026 After missing a penalty in the game’s third minute, Messi rebounded with a strike from 15 yards away in the 38th minute and an unreal dodge of multiple Austrian defenders for a second goal in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for unreal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unreal

Adjective

Meanwhile, in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, Mike Lindell, MyPillow CEO and amplifier of the most absurd of MAGA’s many election-denying claims, was defeated convincingly in his bid for the GOP nomination for governor.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026
Those black rectangles in Study for a Black Drawing are absurd attempts at the ideal void.

— Aaron Fagan, Artforum, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of absurd

Adjective

Near the end of the story, Gardner pledges to kill his imaginary son to spare him war’s toll, but backs out upon his wish to be transformed into a noble soldier.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026
The Argentinian prairie is adorned with imaginary houses, castles and theatres as the young girls construct spontaneous, invisible cities, stories and games in which Koberidze’s likewise unseen characters could live.

— Manahil Tahira, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of imaginary

Adjective

Years earlier at her former lab in Ohio, chromosomes in mouse eggs and embryos began dividing in bizarre ways, creating the kinds of genetic errors that can lead to Down syndrome and other chromosomal disorders.

— Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
Her videos were outrageous and conspiratorial, and the more elaborate and bizarre her stories became, the more people online were drawn to her.

— Zander Sherman, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of bizarre

Adjective

Final testing relied on fictitious data instead of the real records of millions of residents.

— Komal Goyal, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Schools received an email from a fictitious two-parent household with both a mother and father interested in enrolling a child.

— Kristy Buzard, The Conversation, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of fictitious

Adjective

All of this is to say that where liabilities are involved, don't be penny wise and pound foolish.

— Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
As some of us will inevitably succumb to its grand and growing illusion, the rest may get the opportunity to find the key to understanding how so many others could be fooled and so foolish.

— Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of foolish

Adjective

Blending documentary and fictional elements, directors Michael Dweck and Gregory Kershaw pay homage to the remarkable and charming people whose zest for life shapes and preserves this unique region and its centuries-old culture.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026
One is usually informational, and one is a fictional read for fun.

— Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of fictional

Adjective

And their friendship, a folie à deux spiral of insane ideas powered by ungodly quantities of pot, becomes akin to a superpower.

— Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026
These mega facilities are popping up everywhere which means lots of people are spending insane money instead of pulling out the hose and bucket.

— Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of insane

Adjective

Knott’s has transformed the 1978 Montezooma’s Revenge into a multi-launch coaster with an Aztec treasure hunter theme and a train designed to look like a mythical stone creature.

— Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 6 Aug. 2026
Yet when the latter is replaced by the abbreviation algol (Algorithmic Language), a whole other order of reference comes into view, involving celestial movements and mythic monstrosities.

— Jan Tumlir, Artforum, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of mythical

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unready

unreal

unrealistic

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“Unreal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unreal. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of unreal

adjective

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